Two $10,000 divisions in the NAADA fall trotting series went to post Thursday night (Aug. 25) at Yonkers Raceway and when the judges posted the winners, Nicole Dicostanzo and Alan Schwartz each were victorious; Dicostanzo with Jekyll N Hyde in 1:59.3 and Schwartz in 1:58.
In her split Dicostanzo went to the front from the three hole and led her competition by the quarter in :30.1. Alone on the front with her trotter, the diminutive miss got by the half in 1:01.2 with Crews Hilltopper tight on her back. Up the backside Dicostanzo asked her charge for more and Jekyll N Hyde sped to a :29 third quarter and then added a :29.1 final panel for a head victory over Lee's trotter. Third place went to Fiji with Dave Offenberg at the controls.
The winner, a five-year-old Whom Shall I Fear gelding is owned by Christie Decotis and trained by Ms Dicostanzo.
In the other NAADA trot, Alan Schwartz zipped to the lead from the six-hole with Raceace and the veteran six-year-old trotter was never in trouble as he trotted by the quarter in :28.3. He then had two lengths on runner-up Keystone Blade as they trotted up the backside and at the three quarters Raceace was still solidly in command. When they headed for paydirt, it was clear that Raceace was not to be denied and he cruised home a length winner in 1:58. Keystone Blade finished second a head better than third place finisher Brilliant Bob.
Schwartz owns and trains Raceace who, with this victory, ups his seasonal bankroll to over $52,000.
(NAADA)